Three of the most significant and potentially transformative changes to face UK construction will be on the agenda at next month’s GAI Conference.

Chaired by GAI president, David Stacey, the annual conference will include three experts discussing the financial state of the construction industry, the Hackitt Review and the impact of new digital developments.

Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, will provide an economic overview of construction, helping attendees to make more informed decisions when considering future business.

Since joining Barbour ABI in 2013, Michael has been responsible for providing monthly updates to clients and to Building magazine on the key economic, political and financial changes that impact the UK economy and construction.

“It is fair to say that the construction sector is currently steady, but certainly not buoyant,” says Michael.

“The uncertainty for the UK economy caused by Brexit is having an impact and the skills shortage is hindering the supply of skilled workers. These are both huge factors hindering growth.

“Against this backdrop of uncertainty and the expected tightening up of the entire construction supply chain following the Hackitt Review, architectural ironmongers will have an increasing role to play to ensure that the ironmongery specified and installed always meets stringent industry standards and requirements.”

Jon O’Neill OBE, managing director of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), will be presenting on the Hackitt Review and looking at building and fire safety regulations and related compliance and enforcement issues.

The closing speaker of the conference will be Andreas Haeberli, chief technology officer at dormakaba. He will be looking at how digital transformation is affecting the architectural ironmongery industry.

The GAI Conference will be held on Friday 18 May at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, Tower of London. It is sponsored this year by dormakaba, GEZE (UK), Lorient, CES, HOPPE (UK), ASSA ABLOY Ltd, and Exova (UK).